PA man pleads guilty to July murder; sentence capped at 40 years
Published 4:02 pm Monday, February 1, 2016
A Port Arthur man had pleaded guilty to a July 2015 shooting death as well as aggravated assault and a burglary on Monday.
Jose Julio Esquivel, 24, made the plea in Criminal District Judge John Stevens’ courtroom in reference to the July 16, 2015 murder of Denzel Jervon Washington, 25, who was found deceased in his vehicle in the 3400 block of 15th Street.
Mike Laird with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office said Esquivel’s sentence is capped at 40 years for the murder charge. Washington was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds near the intersection of 15th Street and Sixth Avenue around 6:30 a.m. July 16, 2015, according to an archive story. Esquivel reportedly made a statement to police regarding the murder while in jail for shooting Jafar A. Hill in the face. Hill’s injuries were not life threatening.
According to a probable cause affidavit Esquivel stated he robbed Washington of a large amount of cocaine and cash after shooting him twice in the head.
Esquivel still faces up sentences of up to 20 years for the aggravated assault and a burglary charge.
Sentencing will be held on Feb. 29.
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